Last week the company marked the beginning of the season with “Overture,” a party at Tommy Vaughn Ford on South Shepherd, featuring “I Pagliacci” cast members Donata Cuccinotta, James Chamberlain, James Rodriguez, Dash Waterbury and Jeremiah Johnson.

There will be four productions of “I Pagliacci,” tonight, Sept. 18, at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 20, at 2 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 24, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 26, at 7:30 p.m.

The Sunday performances will have a special feature this year. The company will host a “Talk-Back” event following each performance, allowing opera-goers the chance to speak with the cast, stage director Susan Stone Li and conductor Dr. Eiki Isomura. The Talk-Back feature is a great extension of Opera in the Heights’ opera-outreach mission, extending opportunities both to up-and-coming singers and musicians as well teaching the public about this beautiful, beautiful art form.

To that end, the company has expanded its support and outreach programs. From the Young Opera Lovers Organization to the Oh! Guild and educational initiatives, the company is in investing mode. To be completely frank, this company has already lasted 20 years longer than I thought it would when it formed. I was wonderfully wrong about that. And with these initiatives building a foundation for the future, it looks like Opera in the Heights will be around for some time longer.

To get tickets for “I Pagliacci” or one of the other three shows this season — Menotti’s “The Medium and The Telephone” beginning Oct. 30; Rossini’s “La Cenerentola” in February; and Gluck’s “Orfeo ed Euridice” in April — check out operaintheheights.com or call 713-861-5303.